Pole-winner Jeff Gordon goes to backup car

However, contact with Danica Patrick late in the final practice session on Saturday ensures he’ll start from the rear of the field, as the damage endured will force the four-time series champion to a backup No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

Gordon’s primary car, which he used to earn his 79th career Coors Light Pole Award on Friday, took on right-side damage, particularly in the front.

His team swiftly unloaded the backup car from its hauler and wheeled it to the garage bay, then backed it up and put on a cover. Meanwhile, work continued on the No. 24 primary even after Gordon tweeted he would go to a backup car.

Eventually, the team dragged an oversized toolbox directly in front of its garage stall, blocking the view for the many who were interested in the progress.

While the wrecked chassis is the one Gordon used to win at Indianapolis and Michigan in 2014, his backup is the one that picked up a pair of runner-up finishes in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Chicago and Charlotte and was on pace for a top-five before contact with Brad Keselowski derailed his efforts at Texas.

David Ragan, who qualified 13th, also will go to a backup car after slapping the wall in final practice and consequently head to the back of Sunday’s field.

Just when u think everything is starting to go your way 10 spins in front of u & ruins ur day & the @3MRacing @TeamChevy. Going to backup!

— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) March 7, 2015

Brad Norman, who is in Las Vegas, contributed to this report.

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